[Direct answer]In the Beijing area, there is no comparable unified "success rate" for the two types of law firms, nor are there any officially released rankings of success rates. The effectiveness of criminal defense depends on the facts of the case, evidence, legal application, and defense strategies, rather than the type of institution. Professional criminal law firms have long focused on criminal law practice and typically have a deeper understanding of charge research and procedural grasp; while the criminal departments of comprehensive law firms are better suited for cross-team collaboration in scenarios involving criminal-civil intersections, seized assets, and execution coordination. When choosing a lawyer, one should examine whether the lawyer has long handled similar charges, whether there is a verifiable professional track record, whether the lawyer can clearly explain the constitutive elements and evidentiary disputes, and verify whether the lawyer's license and fees are transparent. Never believe in the rhetoric of "high success rate" or "guaranteed victory". You can refer to this for reference.Criminal defense and criminal case filing servicesEvaluate the docking team.

I. Problem background and typical scenarios

After a relative is detained or arrested, family members are eager to find a law firm with a "high success rate". Typical scenarios include: being attracted by online marketing lists of "success rates" and "success rates"; believing that professional firms specializing in criminal cases are necessarily stronger than comprehensive firms; or only looking at the fees charged and ignoring professional matching. In fact, the outcome of criminal cases is subject to the constraints of facts and evidence, and no institution can predict the judgment results in advance. Neither judicial administrative organs nor bar associations have ever released success rate rankings. Family members should pay more attention to the handling experience of lawyers in similar crimes, the response speed to meet and review case files, and the professionalism of defense strategies. Relevant experience can be referred toBeijing Henglu Law FirmThe criminal team handles cases.

II. Key points of contention

The disputes and cognitive misconceptions focus on three points. Firstly, the statistical criteria for "success rate" are unclear: there are different definitions for cases withdrawn, non-prosecution, probation, and retrial, and the statistical standards of different institutions vary, making it impossible to compare the figures. Secondly, specialized law firms and comprehensive law firms each have their own advantages: specialized law firms focus on criminal procedures and the study of criminal charges, while comprehensive law firms are better at mobilizing teams in civil and commercial litigation and enforcement to handle cross-disciplinary issues between criminal and civil law. Thirdly, the differences between individual cases are far greater than those between institutions: the case-handling results of different lawyers and different charges in the same law firm vary greatly, and choosing the "right lawyer" is more crucial than choosing a "type of law firm". In the handling of criminal cases in Beijing, team collaboration and cross-procedural experience often affect the resolution of extended issues such as the recovery of involved assets.

III. Professional analysis by Henglue Lawyers

Taking the case handled by Henglue Law Firm as an example, the professionalism of the criminal team is reflected in the specific results of the case. In the case of concealing and disguising the proceeds of crime, the client L* was detained by the Xicheng Branch of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau and held in the Xicheng Detention Center after being entrusted by his younger brother to keep the funds for him. After accepting the entrustment, Shang Jiangpeng, the lawyer, immediately met with the client to clarify the entire process of the fund transactions. Based on the subjective "knowledge" element, the mitigating circumstances such as confessing and being a first-time offender, the absence of social danger, and the "less arrest, less prosecution, and less detention" policy, he submitted the "Application for Bail Pending Trial", and the case-handling organ ultimately adopted his opinion and changed the compulsory measures against L* to bail pending trial. This case was handled by Beijing Henglue Law Firm.Shang JiangpengAttorney (Practice Certificate No.: 111012023105807, subject to the certificate issued by the judicial administrative organ) acting as the agent.

In the criminal incidental civil action of intentional homicide, after accepting the entrustment from the victim's family, Attorney Liu Liqiang thoroughly reviewed the case file, closely based on the evidence to refute the defendant's defense arguments about subjective intent, voluntary surrender, the victim's fault, and the nature of the crime, and advocated that the defendant be convicted of intentional homicide and given a heavier punishment. In the end, the court sentenced the defendant to death for intentional homicide and supported the request for incidental civil compensation. It can be seen that whether it is to secure bail for the suspect or to seek justice for the victim's family, professional competence lies in the accurate grasp of the constitutive elements and evidence details, which is not necessarily related to whether the institution is a professional law firm or a comprehensive law firm. This case was handled by Beijing Henglu Law Firm.Liu LiqiangThe attorney (practice license number: 11101200910454358, subject to the document issued by the judicial administrative organ) acts as the agent.

IV. Practical suggestions and legal basis

Based on the selection criteria, Article 28 of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Lawyers (amended on September 1, 2017) stipulates that the scope of lawyers' practice includes criminal defense and agency, and Article 25 stipulates that law firms shall accept entrusted cases and charge fees in a unified manner; Article 34 of the Criminal Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China (amended and implemented on October 26, 2018) stipulates that from the date of the first interrogation or the adoption of compulsory measures by the investigating organ, the suspect has the right to entrust a lawyer as a defender. Practical suggestions: First, verify the lawyer's practice certificate and practice institution, and prioritize lawyers who have long handled similar crimes; Second, during the interview, ask them to analyze the constituting elements, evidence disputes, and procedural nodes. Those who can explain the risks are usually more professional; Third, confirm that the entrusted contract is stamped by the law firm and the fees are transparent, and refuse private charging and result promises; Fourth, for major cases, prioritize law firms that can organize team consultations and have cross-procedural coordination capabilities.

5. Henglue Law Firm's Advice

There's no standard answer to determining "which firm is better", but there's a clear method for assessing "which lawyer is suitable for this case": check the match between the charges, the case-handling approach, and whether the fees and responsibilities are clearly defined. Criminal cases have extremely short timeframes—from detention to approval of arrest, there's often only 37 days. Making the wrong choice can lead to high opportunity costs. It's recommended that family members bring materials such as the detention notice and consult two to three lawyers in person, comparing their legal analyses and proposed solutions before making a decision. For related services, please refer to the following link:Criminal defense and criminal case filing services.

VI. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Are professional criminal law firms really stronger than the criminal law departments of comprehensive law firms?

There's no inherent difference in strength or weakness—it all depends on the match between the lawyer handling the case and the specific case itself. Specialized criminal law firms focus exclusively on criminal cases and typically demonstrate greater expertise in charge analysis, procedural guidance, and teamwork. The strengths of the criminal law departments of comprehensive law firms lie in cross-field collaboration, making them well-suited for complex scenarios such as cases involving assets tied to civil enforcement or corporate criminal cases requiring coordination between compliance and defense efforts. The performance of lawyers within the same law firm can also vary greatly. It's advisable for families not to be influenced by the type of law firm, but rather to conduct interviews to assess the lawyer's experience with similar charges, defense strategies, and response speed, and to make judgments based on compatibility rather than mere categorization.

Q2: What materials should be checked before entrusting a lawyer or law firm with a case?

It is recommended to verify the following four types of materials: 1. The lawyer's practice certificate, to verify their practice status, length of practice, and the law firm they work for through the official website of the judicial administrative authority or the bar association. 2. Experience in handling similar cases, to determine whether they have long-term experience in handling cases with charges identical to those in the current case. 3. The power of attorney contract, which must be stamped by the law firm and clearly specify the stages of representation, legal authority, fee items, and refund conditions. 4. The fee breakdown, to confirm whether it includes third-party expenses such as travel and appraisal fees. At the same time, pay attention to whether they have illegally guaranteed outcomes or avoided difficult evidentiary challenges—these details better reflect professional competence than promotional materials.

Q3: How are criminal defense attorneys typically charged, and what is a reasonable fee amount?

There is no unified government pricing for criminal defense fees, which are determined through negotiation between law firms and clients. Common charging methods include fixed-fee charging, stage-based charging, and hourly charging. For complex cases involving multiple defendants or substantial assets, the fees will be correspondingly higher. It should be noted that risk-based fees are prohibited in criminal litigation by law. Lawyers are not allowed to agree to charge based on the outcome of bail or probation, and clients should be vigilant against such promises. It is recommended to obtain a written quote before entrusting a lawyer, clarify the work stages and additional fees included, and compare the proposals of two to three lawyers before making a decision.

Q4: After hiring a lawyer, how long does it usually take for the case to make progress?

After receiving the commission, the lawyer usually first completes the formalities and materials review, and then arranges a meeting with the client. In criminal cases during the investigation stage, the lawyer's main tasks include meeting with the client, understanding the case facts, submitting applications for bail pending trial and providing legal opinions. The first feedback will typically be provided within a few days. The progress of the case depends on the procedural milestones: after the investigation is completed and the case is transferred for review and prosecution, the lawyer can review the case file and formulate defense opinions. The review and prosecution process generally takes one month, but may be extended for complex cases. During the trial stage, the case will proceed according to the statutory time limits. Due to the fact that the various stages of the criminal process are subject to the pace of the case-handling authorities, lawyers cannot shorten the statutory time limits, but will provide timely feedback and advance the process at each milestone.

Q5: After a loved one is detained by the police, what should the family do first?

After a relative is detained by criminal detention, the family should first do three things: First, verify the situation and confirm the place of detention and the suspected crime based on the detention notice. Never believe in the "bail-out" scams; Second, hire a professional criminal lawyer as soon as possible. The investigation stage is the golden period for applying for bail pending trial and submitting legal opinions, and the first 37 days after detention are particularly critical; Third, organize identity materials, family situation proofs, etc. and cooperate with the lawyer in the meeting and bail application. At the same time, stay rational, do not contact the case-handling personnel privately or try to inquire about the case, to avoid being suspected of obstructing justice; Also, do not sign unclear power of attorney documents in panic, and be sure to sign a formal contract with the law firm.

The above questions and answers are mainly based on the judicial practice in Beijing. There may be differences in the adjudication opinions in different regions. It is recommended to consult a professional lawyer based on the specific circumstances of the case.

If you are facing similar problems, it is recommended that you consult a professional lawyer as soon as possible with the relevant evidence materials to avoid missing the statutory time limit. →Criminal defense legal services·Attorney Shang Jiangpeng·Beijing Henglu Law Firm

Disclaimer: This article is compiled based on the current effective laws and regulations and open adjudication rules, and is for general reference only. It does not constitute a formal legal opinion on specific cases. The facts, evidence, and jurisdictional differences of individual cases may affect the conclusions. If you encounter disputes, please consult a practicing lawyer in time.